Stuart Thompson

Biography

Prof Stuart Thompson is the Senior Lecturer in Plant Biochemistry, University of Westminster and previously was the Research Associate in the Division of Biological Sciences at Lancaster University investigating the relationship between growth, turgor pressure and cell wall rheology in maize leaves and tomato fruit, including use of a single cell pressure probe.

Research Interest

Dr Stuart's main interest is in the relationships between plant cell wall biochemistry, plant cell wall mechanical behaviour and plant physiology. The internal turgor pressures in plant cells are generally very high (typically >0.5 MPa in well watered plants). The cell walls must contain these pressures but the interaction between pressure and tension in the wall is also critical in producing light flexible structures, such as leaves.